Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education, CHRICED, has lamented that the country is evolving into a one-party system.
In a statement by Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, its Executive Director, CHRICED said that history is replete with examples of nations that allowed greed, arrogance, and the lust for power to erode democratic institutions.
“Nigeria today stands at a dangerous crossroads. The gale of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has raised alarm bells,” the statement said.
It noted that opposition governors, senators and House of Representatives members, who once rode to power on the back of opposition platforms now find themselves coerced, bribed, or pressured into joining the ruling party.
“This trend is not merely political manoeuvring, it is the slow but steady march toward a one-party state, a civilian dictatorship cloaked in democratic garb,” it added.
“History teaches us that one-party dominance rarely emerges from genuine competence or visionary leadership.
“Instead, it is often fuelled by opportunism, defections, and the erosion of institutions meant to safeguard democracy.
According to CHRICED, the result of one-party state is always hyperinflation, economic collapse, and mass migration, while citizens pay the price and elites enriched themselves
It added that such a system, if allowed to flourish, also silences dissent and rewards loyalists, while opposition leaders are jailed or exiled and the ruling party became a rubber stamp for authoritarian decisions.
It said that for instance, Cameroon under CPDM has been able to keep Paul Biya in power for decades sustained through defections and patronage.
“Politicians cross over to the ruling party not to serve citizens but to secure protection and privileges,” it added.
“The result is civil unrest, economic stagnation, and humanitarian crises.”
“Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, Nigeria has witnessed a disturbing wave of defections. Governors from traditionally PDP strongholds such as Delta (Sheriff Oborevwori), Enugu (Peter Mbah), Akwa Ibom (Umo Eno), and Rivers (Siminalye Fubara) have abandoned their mandates to join the APC.
“These defections are not driven by policy alignment or genuine reform. They are calculated moves to secure protection, patronage, and relevance ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The National Assembly, instead of acting as a check on executive excesses, has become a rubber stamp body populated by rotten and depraved individuals.
“Opposition lawmakers who challenge defections are silenced through committee marginalization, denial of speaking time, or outright suspension.
“The Assembly passes executive budgets and policies without scrutiny, ensuring that patronage flows to defectors who align with the ruling party.
“In effect, the legislature has abandoned its constitutional duty of oversight, becoming a conveyor belt for executive directives.
“The judiciary, compromised by corruption and political influence, has played a decisive role in legitimizing defections and electoral disputes.
“Nigeria’s democracy will not collapse overnight—it will wither silently if defections and arrogance go unchallenged. Each defection is not a harmless political move but a betrayal of the people’s mandate, a brick removed from the foundation of accountability.”
One-party system: Nigeria’s democracy will wither silently if defections go unchallenged – Centre
